Artist:Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez f/Ibrahim Ferrer
Song:Wahira
Album:Cachaito
Bassist Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez is another veteran Cuban musician who gained fame through the 1996 documentary Buena Vista Social Club. Lopez was a sideman for his entire career. This 2001 album Cachaito was his only album as a leader. He was born Feb. 2, 1933 in Havana, Cuba. Bass runs in the family. His father Orestes Lopez and his older brother Orestes Jr. played bass. And so did his famous uncle Israel "Cachao" Lopez. That's where the nickname Cachaito comes from. As a child, Lopez wanted to play the violin. But his grandfather had him take up the bass because of the family tradition. He started playing in bands as a teen. And at age 17 he replaced his uncle in Antonio Arcano y sus Maravillas. In the 50s Lopez was in the popular band Orquesta Riverside and he was in the National Symphony Orchestra. He got involved with Buena Vista Social Club through Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and his band Afro Cuban All Stars. After the film was a big hit, World Circuit Records owner Nick Gold signed several of the musicians featured in the film including Lopez. The album Cachaito was released in 2001. Wahira features singer Ibrahim Ferrer who was also in Buena Vista Social Club. The rest of the album is instrumental. Musicians are Manuel Galban on guitar, Bigga Morrison on organ, Carlos Gonzalez on bongos, Miguel "Anga" Diaz on congas, Alejandro Pichardo on guira and claves and Amadito Valdes on timbales. Lopez toured with this band. Then he returned to being a sideman. He died of pancreatic cancer on Feb. 9, 2009 at age 76. Check out his album. But for sure check out Buena Vista Social Club which can be streamed for free on Kanopy with a library card. Here's Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez featuring Ibrahim Ferrer performing Wahira on Later with Jools Holland 2001.
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